CAPTAIN Fantastic rescued Manchester United once again – scoring a hat-trick as the Red Devils overcame an early scare.
Bruno Fernandes has hit goalscoring form in recent weeks and has dragged his side to points and crucial victories.
He was the coolest man inside Old Trafford twice as he slotted home penalties either side of half-time to put his side in control against Real Sociedad.
Then he raced through late on to smash the ball into the bottom corner – his second Man Utd hat-trick sealed the tie.
United suffered an early scare as the Spaniards went in front with a penalty after five minutes, but they recovered brilliantly.
From that point on it was all United and they were quickly back level after Rasmus Hojlund was felled in the box.
The striker once again struggled in front of goal but for once it did not cost his team, who threatened throughout.
Joshua Zirkzee was the best of the bunch and his trickery teed up Hojlund for a certain goal – only for him to fluff his lines from five yards.
Patrick Dorgu also got forward well and forced a red card for defender Jon Aramburu, who dragged him down as last man.
The left-back won his side a penalty and would have earned a second if he had not told the ref to overturn his decision.
Here is how SunSport’s Ken Lawrence rated the Red Devils display…
ANDRE ONANA – 6
No doubt one of those £1.3bn part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe “inherited” and declared as “overpaid”.
In other words the goalkeeper bought for £43.8m from Inter Milan under ex-boss Erik ten Hag and on at least £175,000 a week will almost certainly feel his Old Trafford days are numbered if Ratcliffe has his way.
But the goalkeeper had no chance with Mikel Oyarzabal’s early VAR penalty and this was one of his calmer, more steadfast performances, although not over-worked.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6
United don’t usually do bargain buys but the wing-back forced into the back three due to lack of available numbers has proved himself to be exactly that at £12.7m from Bayern Munich.
Last summer’s arrival, as ever, hardly looked like Mr. Personality but he was solid and reliable, as ever, even if he wasn’t playing in the position he was bought to fill.
His steadying influence was most notable amidst a Sociedad maelstrom as the Basque side complained bitterly over the award of United’s first penalty as he pushed the mob away.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 7
The Dutchman has had his doubters since his arrival from Bayern Munich at the start of the season and it’s taken him time to settle in.
But settle in he has and in the first half, playing in the middle or Rubin Amorim’s makeshift back three, was a real leader and especially dominant in the air and was victim of a ridiculous penalty decision.
He’s not the quickest but he is very good at holding a line – as he showed in the first half when Sociedad were throwing everything at the United box – the 25-year-old’s on the way to becoming a fan favourite.
AYDEN HEAVEN – 7
The 18-year-old’s only senior action for Arsenal before being persuaded to head north was the last ten minutes of a 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Preston in October.
Yet here he was as injured Leny Yoro’s deputy making his European debut and the centre-back did himself proud.
One challenge on the incoming Takefusa Kubo thirty yards out mid-way through the first half was exceptional and spoke volumes for his potential as a top centre-half.
DIOGO DALOT – 5
Portuguese played in his favourite right wing-back position and you can never say he doesn’t give it everything.
It just that what he does give can be a bit predictable and that showed even as United recovered from their early fright and began scaring the Spaniards witless.
Dependable enough, committed enough and at the moment almost certainly a must–pick given United’s injury problems at the back – but one with questions marks over his long–term future, although he did bag United’s late fourth.
CASEMIRO – 7
He may be ageing before our very eyes even if he is only 33 but even if the legs are going the football brain is still very sharp.
Maybe he does have old legs but that old brain of his was crucial before the break when Sociedad were moving forward in numbers and in confidence.
Produced a fine 19th-minute right footer that only just skipped wide before producing a brilliant display of ball skills near the end of the first half, a juggling act that got his team out of deep trouble.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 9
Brilliant free kick from that so–called dodgy 11.2 yards for the equaliser in Sunday’s 1 – 1 draw with Arsenal and just carried on in style again.
Cool spot kick equaliser in the 16th minute and ditto for the spot kick that sent United ahead five minutes after the break.
Sometimes tried the impossible – one shot from almost 40 yards out surprised only someone in the Stretford End but he’s become a true Red leader and capped off his performance with a stunning hat–trick clincher.
PATRICK DORGU – 7
Beginning to show why Ruben Amorim was so keen on him and that £25.15m outlay to Lecce is beginning to pay off.
He was slow to release the ball and got caught in possession at the start of the build-up that ended in the penalty for Sociedad.
But he started gaining plenty of momentum from that early moment on and produced a proper wing-back performance, forging repeatedly up the left flank and twice almost finding the net.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE – 7
Got last week’s opener in the 1-1 first-leg clash in San Sebastian although it was still only his sixth since arriving in summer.
Another who Ratcliffe will believe isn’t giving value for money and nobody could blame him for that given his goal ratio.
But there’s definitely a player in there, just not a striker for some of his running and passing was excellent – he got a rousing reception when he was replaced near the end from fans who are really backing him.
RASMUS HOJLUND – 4
That’s now 21 games and no goals – the equivalent of over THIRTY HOURS without the £72m striker hitting the net.
Seeing the young Dane going through continuing agony in front of goal is a tough watch because, no question, he’s giving his all but his confidence is completely shredded.
Was brought down for Fernandes to score the second of his two penalties but he was only eight yards out and was so slow in reacting to his captain’s pass that Igor Zubeldia bundled into him from behind.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6
Good early strike cutting in from the right but the Argentinian can be a really greedy kid.
Could easily have laid the ball back for the waiting Fernandes when the chips were down in the first half but went for the Hollywood strike himself and smashed the ball into a forest of Basque legs.
But he is learning to work harder for the team defensively at least – producing one tremendous pressing block near a Sociedad corner flag that brought a punch of delight from him and a roar of approval from the home fans.
SUBS
TOBY COLLYER (for Casemiro 78) – 5
Ran around energetically as usual and made some nice passes.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN ( for Zirkzee 87) – 5
One tame effort from outside the box that did not trouble the keeper.
